Method and article for installing aluminum siding

ABSTRACT

This disclosure relates to a method and article for installing exterior siding on an existing structure in a manner ensuring a substantially perfectly aligned siding job regardless of the lack of true levelness of the existing sheathing on the structure. The method is predicated on the use of a starter strip having a body portion greater than three inches and up to about 6 inches in width with a flange at the lower end thereof extending perpendicularly a distance of about three-eighths inch from the body. The flange terminates in a lock portion for receiving siding panels.

United States Patent Leddy [451 May 16,1972

54] METHOD AND ARTICLE FOR 3,245,192 4/1966 Hilson ..52/748 INSTALLING ALUMINUM SIDING 3,485,004 12/ 1969 Mattes ..52/748 Inventor: Robe" y 389 Mayer Court, Primary Examiner-Henry C. Sutherland Ridgefiel N 7 7 ArromeyDominic J. Terminello [22] Filed: Aug. 28, 1970 ABSTRACT [21] Appl' 67929 This disclosure relates to a method and article for installing Related Application Data exterior siding on an existing structure in a manner ensuring a t substantially perfectly aligned siding job regardless of the lack cofltlmlatlon-lX11931t 0f 875,031. of true levelness of the existing sheathing on the structure. The 1969, abandonedmethod-is predicated on the use of a starter strip having a body portion greater than three inches and up to about 6 inches in [52] U.S. Cl ..52/748, 52/521 width with a flange at the lower end thereof extending perpen- [51 Int. Cl. ..E04f 13/12 dicularly a distance of about three-eighths inch from the body. [58] Field of Search ..52/741, 743, 520, 521 The flange terminates in a lock portion for receiving siding panels. [56] References Cited 2 Claims, 5 Drawing Figures UN lTED STATES PATENTS 2,394,380 2/1946 Herbes ..52/748 See'Zlb/I/A PATENTEDHAHSIHYE SHEET 1 OF 2 INVENTOR ATTORNEY METHOD AND ARTICLE FOR INSTALLING ALUMINUM SIDING This application is a continuation-in-part of application Ser. No. 875,031, filed Nov. 10, 1969 now abandoned.

This invention relates to a method and article for installing a substantially perfectly level exterior siding job, and more particularly, to such method and article for installing horizontal exterior siding such as metallic and plastic siding.

For purposes of simplifying this disclosure, reference will be made to aluminum siding, but it should be understood that the invention is not limited thereto, but includes all types of siding materials such as steel and vinyl siding and that the word aluminum herein includes said materials.

The aluminum siding industry always strives to obtain high quality finished aluminum siding jobs. In order to obtain such a high quality job, it is necessary to get a starting line around the entire structure that is perfectly level. Once a true level line is obtained, the aluminum panels, having a given width, will automatically be in proper alignment and present a pleasing aesthetic appearance. The problem up until now has been that all methods suggested by leading manufacturers of aluminum siding for obtaining a true level line do not in fact produce a true level line around the entire structure. In addition, the sheathing on many existing structures, especially older structures, are so out of the state of being truly level that even if a true level line is established, existing starter strips for installing aluminum siding are completely inadequate. This results in the ordinary mechanic improvising to accommodate the lack of levelness resulting in a poorer quality finished siding job.

All aluminum siding installation instructions as distributed by the Aluminum Association of America indicate that a 2 or 4 foot carpenter's level should be used to obtain a true level line. This technique is clearly inadequate. Any lack of levelness will be undetected in a short distance of, for example, 2 to 4 feet. As the mechanic goes around the structure, he could easily be considerably off true level using a carpenter's level. The use of a carpenters level results in continuous doubt as to the true level. This requires constant checking and adjusting on the part of the mechanic, and even then, there is no certainty of being truly level. Another deficiency in existing techniques is that every manufacturer of aluminum siding products makes a starter strip, to be installed at the true level line, which is about 2 inches or less in width. In many cases, the difference in the level between the highest and lowest point of the end of the existing sheathing relative to a level line is 2 inches or greater. As the mechanic progresses around the structure, installing the starter strip on a true level line, he will come to a point where he has no existing sheathing on which to install the 2 inch starter strip.

Still another deficiency in existing starter strips arises when aluminum siding having a backing of insulation material is to be installed. The backing on such siding is usually about threeeighths inch thick. Existing starter strips do not take into consideration the added thickness attributed to the backing material. The result is that the first panel installed in overlapping relationship on the starter strip has a vertical pitch which is three-eighths inch less than the pitch of the panel installed in overlapping relationship to the first panel. The aesthetic appearance of such an installation especially in the reflection of the sun, will be undesirable.

Accordingly, it is a main object of this invention to provide a method for installing a substantially perfectly level aluminum siding job.

Another object is to provide a method for installing aluminum siding ensuring substantially perfect alignment so that several mechanics may start at different points on an existing structure and be certain that the siding panels will meet in proper alignment.

Another object is to provide a starter strip that will always be capable of being secured to existing sheathing regardless of the difference in levelness thereof at various points in the structure.

Still another object is to provide a starter strip that provides enough tolerance in starting so a mechanic can vary the starting point to eliminate narrow strip under windows or other breaks in existing sheathing.

A still further object is to provide a starter strip which ensures proper vertical pitch when installing aluminum siding having backup of insulation material.

These and other objects will either be pointed out or become apparent from the following description and drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a structure on which aluminum siding is to be installed;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the starter strip of the inventron;

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of a section of the structure shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of another section of the structure shown in FIG. 1; and

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the starter strip Referring now to FIG. 1 in order to start an aluminum siding job, a reference point S is selected on the existing sheathing that will be at a comfortable elevation to place a level mark. In my method the reference point S is transported to other points P, P, P" etc. by use of a water level device which preferably consists of a water hose having a length of up to about 40 feet. In each end of the hose is secured a transparent tube. In practice, the hose is filled with water. One end of the hose is placed at the reference mark S on the existing structure so that the level of the water in the tube is at the mark. The other end of the hose is placed at a second point on the structure P which may be 20, 30, or 40 feet away, for example. When the level of the Water in the tube at this end matches the level of the water in the tube being held at reference point S, a second mark is made. This procedure is repeated until the entire perimeter of the house is marked. With this technique of leveling, any variation from true levelness will be detected. After all the marks are made on the structure, the last mark P and the reference mark S will be in substantially perfect alignment. From the level points S, P, P, etc., the distance to the bottom of the existing siding is measured to determine the lowest point. In FIG. 1, for example, the distance from the various points to the bottom of the sheathing may be as follows: S=24 in.; P=24 in.; P'=23% in.; P=23% in.; P'=23% P=23 in.; P"=23 in.; P=23 in.; P=22% in.; P"'=22 in. Thus, the lowest point is in section A of the house and the highest point in Section B. In this example, if a conventional starter strip were installed at the bottom of the sheathing at point S (24 in.) when the mechanic reached point P", the bottom of the sheathing would be only 22 in. and a 2 inch starter strip would not be adequate because it could not be secured to the structure and still maintain the true level. Here the mechanic would begin to improvise starting what could be an avalanching effect which will result in a poor quality job. However, in my method, I preferably, use a starter strip having a body portion 1 (see FIG. 2) greater than three inches up to about 6 inches in width W with nailing apertures at preferably 1 inch vertical intervals. Then from the lowest point I measure up a distance 5% in., for example, and make another mark. I choose the 5 ii in. distance in this example so as to provide a V4 in. overhang below the bottom of the existing sheathing when I use a 6 in. strip (see FIG. 3). I then measure the difference between the 5% in. mark and the reference point S and take this dimension and at all level points, S, P, etc. measure down this dimension and make another mark. In the example, the difference between 24 in. and 5% in. is 18% in. so that from points P to P" 18 /4 in. is measured down and a mark made. A chalk line is made connecting these points and this line (SL) will be the top of the starter strip which will be nailed to the structure around all sides, resulting in a substantially perfectly level and aligned starter strip. In the example given, the starter strip will always be level as progress is made from S to P, the overhang of the starter strip will increase from a distance c='/4 in.

to a distance b=2V4 in. at point P". In all cases, the strip will be level and will be secured to the existing sheathing. After the starter strip is installed, the first panel is placed into interlocking relationship with the starter strip and secured to the structure. In my system, having first leveled and aligned the starter strip, alignment of all panels is ensured. Accordingly, a crew of several men can start at various points and be sure that all panels will meet properly. This reduces the time and expenses in performing a job, permitting more jobs to be done at a saving to the owner of the structure, while obtaining a high quality job.

Referring now to FIG. 2, my starter strip SS will be described in detail. The strip comprises a body portion I having at one edge thereof a flange 3. The flange 3 terminates in a lock rib 5. Apertures 7 are arranged in vertical rows at 1 inch intervals with the vertical rows being spaced preferably 8 inches apart. The apertures should be of sufficient width so that the starting level line on the structure may be sighted therethrough, while being able to retain a nail or screw or other fastening means. The presence of the vertical apertures in the starter strip is important in some cases to achieve the method of this invention. For example, if the line SL is to be marked at an elevation on the structure where it is inconvenient or impossible to make such mark, such as the butt of an existing sheathing panel, an arbitrary point below the line SL at any distance which is a multiple of 1 inch can be chalked and sighted through the apertures. This will ensure that the top of the starter strip is at the line SL even though such line could not be sighted at that point.

The flange 3 is provided preferably three-eighths in. long l so that the installation of insulated aluminum siding panels will be facilitated. An insulated panel will have a backup of insulating material of about three-eighths in. If a starter strip is used which does not take the thickness of the panel into consideration, the vertical pitch of the first panel will be threeeighths in. less than the vertical pitch of the second panel which will overlap the first panel when installed. In such situation, up until now, the mechanic would have to supply the added three-eighths in. by first nailing a wood strip of desired thickness to the structure and then adding the conventional starter strip. The starter strip of this invention eliminates the need to carry wood strip for this purpose and the added work of cutting and securing such strips to the structure.

The starter strip shown in FIG. 2 is ideally suited for aluminum siding having an insulating backup. However, when aluminum siding is to be installed which does not have the backup, a different starter strip not having the flange 3 is required. In order to avoid the necessity of two starter strips, the starter strip shown in FIG. 5 may be used. In this embodiment, dimension a is the same as W in FIG. 2; however, in this embodiment, the lock rib 5' terminates in a lip 6 which extends one-eighth inch (dimension f) below the body of the starter strip. The reason for this will be explained hereinbelow. One-half inch up from the lip 6 is a inch offset 4 (dimension e). By having the offset 4, if siding is being installed which does have a backup insulation, the inch offset 4, plus the V4 inch flange 3' (see dimension d) will provide the inch buildout necessary for the first panel to have the same vertical pitch as each succeeding panel. Accordingly, the first panel will be installed in lock rib 5. However, if aluminum siding is being installed without the backup, the first panel is installed over the lock rib 5 and the flange 3' so that the first panel covers the /4 inch dimension d and the lock rib 5' or dimension 0. When the first panel is so installed, it would normally set up against the bottom of the flange 3. As will be seen, the starter strip is customarily provided with weep holes 8 in the flange 3'. These holes would then be sealed off. However, by providing the lip 6 the first panel cannot seat tightly against the flange 3, and the weep holes 8 in the starter strip as well as those in the panel remain open, thereby permitting collected condensation or other moisture to escape.

It should be noted that one of the major advantages of my invention is that once a true level line has been marked on the structure according to my technique, comparatively unskilled mechanics can install the job and achieve quality heretofore achieved only by extremely skilled mechanics. Still further, a first crew of men could mark several structures and be followed by an installing crew which does nothing but install the siding panels.

Another advantage of the invention is that having once established a true level and installed paneling, other accessory items such as gutters, overhangs and facia panels may also be leveled relative to the level paneling.

Having described my invention with reference to certain preferred embodiments, it should be understood that certain minor modifications can be made to the parts or the arrangement thereof and to the method or to the sequence for performing the steps thereof without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the claims hereof.

What is claimed is:

l. A method for installing a substantially perfectly level and aligned aluminum siding job on an existing structure involving the use of a starter strip comprising:

a. selecting an arbitrary reference mark on said structure;

b. using a water level device to establish a second mark at a distance from said reference mark to ensure a substantially perfectly true level with said reference mark;

c. repeating step (b) to obtain a plurality of starting points around the perimeter of said structure;

cl. determining the distance from said starting points to the lowest point on the sheathing of the existing structure;

e. measuring up from said lowest point a predetermined distance less than the width of said starter strip;

f. striking a mark at said measured distance;

g. determining the distance between said starting points and said struck mark;

h. measuring down from each of said plurality of starting points said determined distance to establish a second series of points to form a starting line; and

i. fastening a starter strip having a body portion of greater than 3 inches and up to 6 inches in width to said structure at said starting line.

2. Method according to claim 1 wherein the predetermined distance of step (e) is 5% inch.

* I i iii 

1. A method for installing a substantially perfectly level and aligned aluminum siding job on an existing structure involving the use of a starter strip comprising: a. selecting an arbitrary reference mark on said structure; b. using a water level device to establish a second mark at a distance from said reference mark to ensure a substantially perfectly true level with said reference mark; c. repeating step (b) to obtain a plurality of startinG points around the perimeter of said structure; d. determining the distance from said starting points to the lowest point on the sheathing of the existing structure; e. measuring up from said lowest point a predetermined distance less than the width of said starter strip; f. striking a mark at said measured distance; g. determining the distance between said starting points and said struck mark; h. measuring down from each of said plurality of starting points said determined distance to establish a second series of points to form a starting line; and i. fastening a starter strip having a body portion of greater than 3 inches and up to 6 inches in width to said structure at said starting line.
 2. Method according to claim 1 wherein the predetermined distance of step (e) is 5 3/4 inch. 